9 Feb 2012
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 9) called on the public to stay vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug-resistant bacterium.
The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 69-year-old man living in Eastern district.
The man, with underlying illness, presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath on February 1. He was admitted to a private hospital on the same day. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia.
The throat swab and sputum collected from the patient grew MRSA.
The man is currently in stable condition and has already been discharged from hospital yesterday.
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.
In recent years, many countries have observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other healthcare facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year before the onset of symptoms. They are known as CA-MRSA infections and usually have special patterns of antibiotic resistance.
It is widely recognised that indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to antibiotics resistance, a CHP spokesman said.
People are advised not to use antibiotics without professional advice. If they are advised by doctors to take antibiotics, they should take the medicine according to the prescribed frequency and dosage. People should observe good personal hygiene including washing hands with liquid soap frequently.
For further information on CA-MRSA, please visit the CHP website, www.chp.gov.hk .